James Dolan hires Isiah Thomas again, this time to run WNBA's Liberty

Isiah Thomas named president of WNBA's New York Liberty, despite some past bad marks.

Isiah Thomas named president of WNBA's New York Liberty, despite some past bad marks.

DOUG FEINBERGAP Basketball Writer

Isiah Thomas back at Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden Chairman James Dolan has rehired Isiah Thomas — this time to run the WNBA's New York Liberty.

Dolan's Knicks didn't win a single playoff game during Thomas' stint as team president from December 2003 to April 2008 despite regularly owning the NBA's highest payroll. Thomas also went 56-108 in two seasons as their coach before being fired.

He remained with the Knicks in an unspecified role, even after a lawsuit brought by former team employee Anucha Browne Sanders that cost MSG $11.6 million. Sanders alleged she was sexually harassed by Thomas, who maintained his innocence and was never found personally liable.

Thomas will serve as the Liberty's president with responsibility for basketball and business operations, the team said Tuesday. He has also taken an ownership interest in the franchise.

Dolan said in a statement that Thomas had been advising the Liberty since the fall and had "overseen" such moves as the rehiring of former Pistons teammate Bill Laimbeer as coach and a blockbuster trade for Epiphanny Prince. Dolan called Thomas an "excellent judge of talent."

A Hall of Fame, championship-winning point guard in Detroit, Thomas has failed to match that success in his post-playing career. He tried college coaching after leaving the Knicks but was fired by Florida International in 2012 after going 26-65 in three seasons.

While Thomas was with FIU, Dolan tried to hire him as a consultant in 2010, but that plan was scrapped because it violated NBA rules.